“This is what you want Nicole? You want to make things difficult? Just because you don’t want to let me talk to you, just because you can’t listen? You’ll see what happens, you’ll hear me out before long,” Remy spat the words and fought against Jason so he could say his piece. “You don’t want to see who I really am Nicole; this is your last chance before I make your life a living hell. I just want to talk.” Jason grabbed at Remy’s arms, but Remy was just as big as he was and fought against him almost easily. Brandon called for another bouncer who quickly made a beeline for us.
“You’re crazy, I’ll get a restraining order,” I said and he laughed derisively and then nodded as if he was making his mind up about something. My blood ran like ice in my veins. Honestly if I agreed to hear him out and still told him no, would the outcome be any different?
Just as the other bouncer, Ryan, got to the scene, Remy lunged forward and wrapped both hands around my neck and squeezed until I could scarcely drag air into my lungs. He leaned close to my ear and quickly whispered, “You do that baby, I’ll still be everywhere you are.” Then he was wrenched away from me and forced out of the lounge. I all but collapsed onto the ground as my legs had turned to jelly and Brandon caught me.
“Hey it’s alright, we called the cops, he’s gone, you can get a restraining order against him,” Brandon said quickly, to try and soothe my nerves. I quickly dragged air into my lungs and then slowly straightened and glanced around to see eyes all on me. That was so the last thing I needed, the paparazzi would soon be all over this scene.
“Fuck,” I whispered and Brandon glanced around as he led me to the back.
“It’ll be alright, don’t worry about the onlookers,” he said as he rubbed my back soothingly. We walked to my office and Brandon started speaking at a mile a minute as I tried to control my erratic breathing. I was freaking out and the last thing I needed was to hyperventilate and pass out on Brandon, who looked like he would pass out if anything else happened.
“The cops are here,” Ryan knocked on the office door just as two uniformed police officers walked in. Ryan had a glass of water and a bag of ice for me. I touched my neck and then winced when I realized that it was already bruised.
“Miss James, I’m officer Tilly and this is officer Dawson, do you want to tell us what happened?” Tilly asked and I sighed.
“I don’t…I don’t even know. I didn’t know Remy was capable of—” I stopped myself from babbling and then forced myself to take a deep breath, which was uncomfortable due to my throat having been constricted.
“Why don’t you take a few more deep breaths, have that glass of water and take a second. We’ll question these guys first and then take your statement,” Dawson said and I nodded, I couldn’t even muster a grateful smile for him. His brown eyes were understanding as Ryan handed me the ice and Tilly started speaking to Brandon. The cold water helped my throat and frazzled nerves a little, as did the ice.
“Did you catch him?” I asked suddenly. Just as Jason had been called back to the room to talk to the cops. Dawson paused mid sentence as he was speaking to Brandon and he gave me an apologetic shake of the head.
“We got the call too late. These guys got rid of him before we arrived. Are you ready to give your statement?” he asked me and I nodded.
“Definitely, and I want to file for a restraining order and have him charged with assault,” I said and Dawson nodded, his expression seemed as if he approved of what I wanted to do.
“Don’t worry Miss James, we’ll do everything we can to catch this scumbag,” he said and all I could think as I held the bag of ice to my throat was that I really hoped they would. Remy’s hissed words were haunting in my ear as I thought about his determined and hostile glare.
*****
As soon as I stepped foot outside of Bosque to go home, I was met with flash after flash of cameras. The paparazzi had caught wind of what had happened of course. I covered my face and ignored the shouts for my attention as I was escorted to my car by Bosque security. Then, I all but sped away from the lounge to head home. But of course, as I turned onto my block, I saw a group of camera holders and groaned loudly, I circled the block and then called my mom on the car phone.
“Baby are you okay?” her voice was urgent on the other end of the line and I wondered how she already knew. But then of course she already knew, news always travelled fast in the world of celebrities.
“I’m fine, I’m just…shaken up. The paps are at my house…can I come by?” I asked her and she sucked her teeth on the other line.
“Why are you asking me? Of course you’re coming here. Come home now. Do you have anyone to drive you?” she was speaking at a thousand words per second, I knew she frantic. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I had never so much as been stalked by one of her fans before. Let alone used and then…assaulted.
“No, I’m driving over now. Mom calm down,” I said and she scoffed on the other line.
“Calm down, you expect me to calm down? Some psycho put his hands on my baby!” she said, and I couldn’t help but smile faintly as I pictured my mother pacing and her expressive hands flying all over the place.
“Just take deep breaths Mom, I’ll be there soon,” I said and she sighed deeply on the other line.
“You really shouldn’t be driving Nicole,” she said, her voice was a lot calmer and I heard a bit of shuffling on the other line.
“I’m okay mom, I can drive,” I said and focused on the road.
“Well I’m going to stay on the line with you until you get here,” she said softly and I couldn’t say that I didn’t want her to stay on the line. I needed something to focus on that wasn’t so easy to tune out, like the highway. Otherwise I’d think about Remy and his threat and probably hyperventilate. Mom kept my mind on simple things, like the movies and our favorite shows, until I was pulling up the drive to her house and she met me outside with a long warm hug.
“I’m so sorry baby,” she murmured in my ear and that was when the flood gates opened. I couldn’t stop my tears and my mom held me harder for a while until she put one arm around my shoulder and led me inside.
“I just didn’t think…I didn’t think he was capable of what he did,” I said and she led me to her bedroom upstairs and sat me down on the bed.
“I didn’t think he would be that crazy either. Sometimes we just don’t know what people are capable of Nicole. That’s why we always have to be on guard…” she said and then walked into her closet and came out with some pajamas.
“And then it happened in front of everyone, now I’ll be dealing with paparazzi for weeks!” I said and then sniffed as I wiped tears from my eyes.
“I think you need a bodyguard Nicole,” my mom said in all seriousness. I looked at her with a question mark in my expression and she nodded.
“Yeah, I think we should hire a bodyguard for you. Remy is still out there,” she said.
“Well I spoke to the cops and pressed charges, not to mention filed for a restraining order…” I said and my mom shook her head dismissively.
“That doesn’t matter really, not until the cops catch up with him. In the meantime, he’s out there probably planning how to make your life a living hell,” she said and I couldn’t deny that what she said made sense.
“A bodyguard though? Someone following me around and all?” I asked and she nodded, her expression completely serious.
“If Remy is capable of what he did and you didn’t see it coming, then he’s certainly capable of worse Nicole,” she said and I sighed deeply.
“Alright then…I guess security won’t be such a bad idea,” I said and mom sighed a breath of relief.
“Good, I know a great guy that used to work for me when I was touring a couple of years ago, his name is Micah. He’s very professional,” she said as she crossed the room to get her cell phone. “He used to be a Navy SEAL,” she said and I nodded, this Micah guy sounded good.
“You go and get comfortable, I’ll give hi
m a call,” she said and I nodded and then stood up with the clothes she got for me to go and change. I walked quietly into her bathroom and decided to simply shower. I needed some warm water to sooth my nerves a little bit, I was still shaky. Once I emerged from the shower and changed into the tank top and pajama shorts, I went out to the bedroom to cuddle up to my mom.
“So Micah is going to come by tomorrow morning, he’s already agreed to look after you at least until Remy is taken in by the police.” Mom looked at me with a steady gaze and I nodded.
“Alright, tomorrow then,” I said and she kissed me softly on the forehead before turning on the huge TV across from the bed. I curled up next to her and promptly fell asleep.
*****
Micah
I drove up to the larger than life mansion at the end of the beach in Montauk. Ronnie James had given me a call near midnight the night before concerned about her daughter. I did a little research after agreeing to the job, and saw that Nicole James had been publicly assaulted by her boyfriend Remy Bronston. Bronston was a stock market whiz who worked for one of the top brokerage firms on Wall Street. He made a small fortune for himself by being some sort of math whiz and accurately predicting patterns in the stock market. Just by seeing pictures of him I could tell the guy was hiding things. His smile wasn’t genuine, it held a hint of cockiness to it and I could tell there was an emptiness about him in the depths of his gaze. All from one picture caught of him as he was leaving his job.
Then to read about and see that video of what the asshole did to a bewildered Nicole James. She couldn’t have seen any of it coming. I was already dedicated to her case without even knowing Nicole at all. Working security for her mom was one of the best jobs I had. I was always on my toes that was for sure and Ronnie was one of the most down to earth celebrities I’ve ever worked for. Not to mention good natured and funny as hell. If her daughter was anything like her I was sure we’d get along.
I got out of my car and went to the door, it barely took one knock before Ronnie opened up and beamed at me in relief.
“You’re on time! You never disappoint Micah, come in, come in,” she said and hurried me inside. I stepped in and glanced around. Ronnie’s house was the same as I remembered it. Open to views of the beach, big and ornate, but not at all gaudy. Ronnie looked the same too and appeared to be the same old Ronnie I remembered. She was speaking fast and leading me through the house, though I caught everything that she said.
“Nicole is a little shaken up from last night, but she’s a strong girl. I’m really just worried about this guy stalking her and making her life a living hell. You have to protect my baby,” Ronnie said and stopped just outside a hallway leading into what looked like the kitchen. She leveled her grey gaze on me and I nodded solemnly.
“Of course I will Ronnie. That goes without saying, I’ll protect your daughter from that douche bag,” I said, and Ronnie searched my gaze a moment before she nodded once.
“Good, she’s my baby no matter how old she is and I don’t want her being hurt,” Ronnie said and I nodded respectfully.
“I’ll keep her safe Ronnie, again, it goes without saying,” I said sincerely and Ronnie exhaled lightly in relief.
“Good, well she’s in the kitchen waiting to meet you,” Ronnie said and led me down the hall. There sitting at the breakfast bar, with a cup of coffee in her hands, was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. She looked a lot like Ronnie, but had subtle differences that made her even more beautiful than her mom. She had long thick lashes framing her grey eyes, her hair was long and straight and she had naturally arched brows that weren’t as thin as her mother’s. I blinked a few times to control the inexplicable attraction I felt to Nicole before I walked over and shook her hand in a polite and professional manner.
“Hello, I’m Micah Colden,” I introduced myself and she smiled at me politely in turn.
“It’s nice to meet you Micah. My mom tells me that you’re one of the best,” she said and I chuckled.
“Well I do have background in the Navy as a SEAL as well as five years of being private security. I can assure you that you’ll be taken care of as long as I’m watching your back,” I assured her and she smiled in relief more than anything. Ronnie stood off to the side, at the coffee pot, listening to our conversation.
“I’m glad, I have more than just a crazy ex-boyfriend harassing me. The paparazzi are an issue now too,” she mostly mumbled and I saw her annoyance. For as long as I’ve been celebrity security there was not one person who wasn’t bothered by paparazzi. Really they were unwanted nuisances.
“Believe it or not that can be easily taken care of. I have a couple of guys who make it a profession to run off paparazzi,” I said and Nicole sighed in relief. I could see the weight start to leave her shoulders.
“See, what did I tell you? Micah is good. He’ll take care of you,” Ronnie piped in and went to sit next to her daughter at the breakfast bar.
“In fact, if you can write down your address, I’ll give them a call now and the paparazzi issue should be cleared up by noon,” I said and Ronnie stood up to get Nicole something to write with. Once I had her home address, I quickly looked up the address of the lounge Nicole owned and forwarded both addresses to my guys. They sent back an affirmative and then I turned my attention back to Nicole.
“While the photographers are being cleaned up, can you tell me a little bit about Remy?” I asked Nicole and she sighed deeply.
“Well, what do you want to know?” she asked me and I leaned lightly against the counter across from her.
“Mostly what he knows about you, where he can find you, if he knows about any of your normal routines. Things like that,” I said and she took a deep breath.
“Well he knows where I live, he knows where I work out, where my business is…he knows what grocery store I often visit…really the only thing he doesn’t know is where my mom lives,” she said and I nodded as I took note of everything she said. “He said…that he’d be everywhere I was,” she said quietly and Ronnie put her arm around Nicole.
“I will look out for you Nicole. He has to try and get through me to get to you, and I promise you that no one has ever gotten through me,” I said and she nodded, her eyes steady on mine.
“Okay…” she said, still slightly unsure, but her gaze was trusting. Anyone who thought it was okay to terrorize Nicole, no matter to what degree, was an enemy in my book.
*****
After I got some more information on Remy, I put a call out to a few of my old SEAL friends to be on the look out for him. The guys were always looking for a side job to keep things interesting. Nicole and I stayed at Ronnie’s house until I got the all clear. It was clear to tell that both Ronnie and Nicole felt marginally better that I was there and taking control of the situation. I wouldn’t let Remy control Nicole’s fears; the man didn’t have the right to make anyone feel unsafe…especially her.
“So will you drive me around everywhere until he’s caught?” Nicole asked me as we rode back to the city from Montauk. She had left her car at Ronnie’s as I reasoned that it was less likely Remy could get a bead on her if she wasn’t driving her car, which was definitely a recognizable one.
“I will, it’s imperative that I do. Like I said earlier, it makes you more difficult to track,” I explained and glanced in the rear view mirror. She wore a pensive expression as she gazed outside at the moving highway. Suddenly her eyes met mine in the mirror and I quickly focused on the road once more.
“Has anyone ever told you that you look like…the new superman? Man of Steel?” she asked me and I chuckled.
“Yes I’ve been told that Henry Cavill and I have a resemblance,” I said and glanced back at her again, she smiled faintly before turning her head to look out of the window again.
“Your eyes are green though,” she said softly and I glanced at her again, her expression was pensive and I let her keep to her thoughts. It was strange how Nicole’s mother was so outgoing, yet Nicol
e was a lot more mellow and thoughtful.
“So um…what was it like being in the Navy? As a SEAL no less,” she asked and I tilted my head to the side slightly.
“Well it was tough, being a SEAL was one of the toughest jobs I’ve ever had. But it was gratifying work and I liked it really. I liked carrying out missions and completing them with a favorable outcome,” I said and glanced at Nicole, who nodded sagely.
“So how did you get into security work?” she asked and I shrugged slightly.
“The physical demand of being in the Navy was finally taking its toll on me. Once my contract was up I didn’t renew service. Instead I took contract work outside of the program, and then that sort of naturally led to me getting into security. I’m good at my job and I enjoy it,” I said.
“How old are you?” she asked me and I smiled at her through the rearview mirror.
“I’m thirty-five,” I answered and she seemed surprised.
“You look a lot younger, like my age…I’m twenty-seven,” she said and I nodded.
“That’s not too big of a gap…then again, I have good genes,” I joked and she actually laughed. Mission accomplished.
“I’ll say,” she said under her breath, but I caught it. I tried not to smile and focused on the road. Soon we were pulling up to her house and I parked in her space on the curb. There were no paparazzi to be seen and I wondered how the guys had managed to pull it off this time.
“So um, I’m guessing that you’ll pretty much be with me all the time?” Nicole asked and I nodded once.
“Yes I will be, no guest room needed,” I said and she rolled her eyes at me.
“Of course I have a guest room for you, I can’t expect you to sleep standing up,” she said and I grinned at her.
“Well I have done it before,” I said and she laughed as we walked to her town house and up the steps to her front door. From the outside, the house looked to be three stories high.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, but I’ll have to have one of my tech guys come out here so we can install some external security cameras,” I said and Nicole nodded as she unlocked the front door and let us inside.
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